VOYAGE OF THE JEANNETTE (1881) 159 



Land was sighted on the 16th September, but when more 

 than a mile from the shore the water was not deep enough 

 to float the boat. They passed a miserable night attached 

 to some thin ice, and next morning several attempts were 

 made to reach land in the boat, but it always grounded. 

 A raft was then made, and on this were placed tents, 

 cooking-stoves, and boat-box. All the party had to 

 wade knee-deep \\ mile to the shore. After a second 

 load was landed, the boat was dragged to within half a mile 

 of the land. The remainder of the load had then to be 

 carried. This was completed at 10.20 p.m. in a snowstorm. 



They rested over Sunday, 18th September, and set out 

 on the 19th to walk to a settlement believed to be 95 

 miles distant, on the Lena River. They had about 3| 

 days 1 rations. Everything not absolutely necessary was 

 cached, and a record left in the instrument-box. Even 

 then it was found soon after starting that the loads 

 were too heavy, and log-books, stove, some alcohol, a 

 tent, and binoculars were sent back to the cache. The 

 road was bad, several of the men were lame, and occasion- 

 ally they were wading up to the knees. 



On the 20th September another tent was left behind, 

 as they found they could not carry it. The day's march 

 took them over ponds with thin ice, and mossy swamps. 

 Ericksen had frost-bitten feet, and kept the rest of the 

 party back. At the end of the fourth mile De Long 

 was compelled to halt and open the last tin of pemmican. 

 On starting out again, they struck deer-tracks, and this 

 gave great encouragement. They accordingly pushed 

 ahead, but soon afterwards De Long was informed that 

 Ericksen had lain down and desired to be left. De Long 

 and the doctor went back and got Ericksen on his feet 

 again, but he was in a serious condition, and it was evident 

 that the progress of the party would be slow if they were 

 all to keep together. Nindemann and Alexey were sent 



